Letter of Thanks From H.I.H. Dowager Grand Duchess Leonida Georgievna To His Holiness, Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and All Russia On the Occasion of the Awarding the Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga to Her Imperial Highness

Madrid, 10 January 2005 

To His Holiness
Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and All Russia 

Your Holiness!

It was with a feeling of profound gratitude that I accepted the Order of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga. This award is for me precious proof of the blessing of the Russian Orthodox Church on the historical path taken by the Russian Imperial House during the time of its exile from the Motherland.

In even the most difficult and dark years, We never lost faith in the future of Our Motherland and never lost hope that We would one day be united with Her. It is most gratifying to me that the return of Our Dynasty to the Fatherland is inextricably linked with the history of Your Patriarchate and that We could be of use to the Russian Orthodox Church during the present extremely complex period.

I will forever remember in my heart my first meeting with Your Holiness in St. Petersburg, when We traveled for the first time to Russia with my unforgettable husband Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich. I believe that His soul rejoices in the Heavenly Abode over your fatherly care for Our Family.

Asking your archpastoral blessing and prayers for My Most August Daughter and Grandson, I remain ever yours,

(The original is signed in Her Imperial Highness’s own hand:) 

Leonida

(Identical to the original:)

A.N. Zakatov
Personal Secretary of the Imperial Family
Director of H.I.H.’s Chancellery